“Witness for the Prosecution” coming November 21, 23, 24
From Wellsville Central School,
Agatha Christie is the queen of the suspense story, and her play, Witness for the Prosecution, is no exception. This courtroom-based tale of murder is full of twists and turns like every good Christie work is.
Director Matt Warren chose this play because it offers many challenges. Students must portray real characters with schemes and plans, hopes and aspirations, flaws and foibles. This can be a challenge for actors because it requires them to portray the humanity in their characters in a way that makes them real to the audience. In addition to this, the play is set in London, so it has required the cast to learn and maintain a British accent. Finally, a mystery requires building the suspense in a real way, making it fresh for each new audience. The students have been hard at work since their first rehearsal on Sept 16th, bringing this suspenseful play to life. With a cast of 20, this show has given many students a chance to expand on their acting skills.
The play begins with the introduction of Ms. Mayhew and Lady Robarts, solicitor and senior counsel of Leonard Vole, a man quickly arrested for the murder of Emily French, a wealthy older woman. Unaware that he was a married man, Miss French made him her principal heir, casting suspicion on Leonard. His wife, Romaine, agrees to testify to help clear her husband of the crime. When the trial begins before Judge Wainwright, Ms. Myers, the prosecutor, along with Police Inspector Hearne, set the stage for the conviction of Mr. Vole, using the testimony of Romaine and Emily’s maid, Janet Mackenzie, to establish his guilt. But as with all Agatha Christie works, nothing is as it seems and the plot will twist before the closing curtain.
These students are performing the principal roles in the play:
Ms. Mayhew — Cloey Middaugh
Lady Robarts — Maddie Muurisepp
Leonard Vole — Keenen O’Connor
Romaine Vole — Maddison Baker
Judge Wainwright — Lane Joyce
Ms. Myers — Kennedy Ewing
Inspector Hearne — Sierra Caruso
Janet Mackenzie — Izzy Tinder
The show is set to hit the stage in the Wellsville High School Auditorium on Thursday, November 21st and Saturday, November 23rd at 7pm, and on Sunday, November 24th at 2pm. Tickets can be purchased at the door. General admission is $10 and students and senior citizens pay $5. The cast and crew hope you will make a plan to come see their exciting show.
